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G 9th chord on guitar (G9)
Also called or written G9 or G
G 9th is built from G, B, D, F and A. This advanced open position shape requires precise finger placement and a clean high e string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9
- Root positionG–B–D–F–AG93-0-0-0-0-1
- First inversionB–D–F–A–GG9/B×-2-3-2-3-3
- Second inversionD–F–A–G–BG9/Dno shape on this instrument
- Third inversionF–A–G–B–DG9/F1-0-0-0-0-1
- Fourth inversionA–G–B–D–FG9/A×-0-0-0-0-1
How do you play a G 9th chord on guitar?
G 9th is played in open position as 3 0 0 0 0 1: middle finger on the low E string at fret 3 and index finger on the high e string at fret 1. The A, D, G and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (2) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
AdvancedThe open position requires fretting two notes while leaving four strings open, which can cause accidental muting of the open strings.
Open · 3-0-0-2-0-1
G 9th is played in open position as 3 0 0 2 0 1: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and index finger on the high e string at fret 1. The A, D and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (2) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (2) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
Open · 3-2-0-2-0-1
G 9th is played in open position as 3 2 0 2 0 1: pinky finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and index finger on the high e string at fret 1. The D and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (2) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
2nd fret
G 9th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 3 2 3 ×: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, ring finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (2) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
3rd fret
G 9th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 4 3 5: barre your index finger across fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, middle finger on the G string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (5) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 4 | A (2) |
Why it sounds like that
G 9th stacks a G major triad (1, 3, 5) with a minor seventh and a major ninth: 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9. The ♭7 F and 9 A create a dominant sound. Compare it with G 7th, which omits the ninth.
What goes wrong with G 9th?
- Letting the middle finger touch the open A string and deaden it.
- Not pressing the index finger firmly on the high e string, causing a buzz at fret 1.
- Allowing the middle finger to touch the open D string and mute it.
When to use it
G 9th acts as the dominant in C major, used in progressions like C–F–G–C (I–IV–V–I). It suits blues, rock and jazz-funk. Compare it with G major to hear how the seventh and ninth add tension.
Changing to and from G 9th
- Move to G 7th by lifting the index finger to leave the high e string open.
Which voicing to use
The open position voicing is the most practical, with G in the bass. The 2nd fret and 3rd fret voicings offer a brighter, more compact sound for ensemble playing.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G 9th written?
G 9th is written as G9. The symbol G9 always means a dominant ninth chord with a minor seventh and a major ninth.
What is the difference between G 9th and G add 9?
G 9th includes the minor seventh F, while G add 9 is a G major triad with the ninth A added and no seventh. The add 9 sounds more open and less tense.
Why does the open position have no muted strings?
The open position uses all six strings, and every open string is a chord tone. The open A string is the ninth, and the open D string is the fifth.